Share

Congratulations to Freddy Magdama, PhD Candidate in Plant Pathology and graduate student in the International Agriculture and Development (INTAD) duel-title degree program, for being awarded a Graduate International Research Competitive Grant through the College of Agricultural Sciences' Office of International Programs.

Freddy Magdama (left)

Freddy was awarded $2,500 for the research outlined in his proposal "Phylogeography and
Ecological Dynamics of Populations of Fusarium
Oxysporum f.sp. Cubense in
Ecuador.”

"Our project is focused on providing a research baseline
by studying the genetic diversity of Foc populations in the country.
Phylogenetic analysis will help us identify the different lineages that are
present in Ecuador and their similarity with Foc populations of other
banana-producing regions of the world. We will also define the number and
diversity of pathogen genotypes responsible for affecting local banana
varieties, by using VCG and pathogenicity testing. We will also address the
possible symbiotic interaction of this fungus with viruses. Finally, we want to
strengthen quarantine/eradication strategies in order to avoid or deal with the
imminent entrance of the newly emerged Tropical Race 4, which would result in
the destruction of most banana produced in Central and South America."